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Bear Living Under Home Creates Unusual Situation in Altadena

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/3 .. -home-creates-unusual-situation-in-altadena.html
  Published in House and Home on Saturday, January 31st 2026 at 8:30 GMT by CBS News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

ALTADENA, Calif. - January 31st, 2026 - An unusual situation in Altadena, California, is highlighting the increasing challenges of coexisting with wildlife in rapidly developing urban areas. For months, a black bear has been living under the home of resident Maryanne Vahradian, prompting a delicate and ongoing operation led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

The initial sighting, reported several months ago, quickly escalated from a fleeting glimpse to a sustained presence. The bear, a young adult male according to CDFW estimates, didn't simply wander through the property; it established a den directly beneath Vahradian's house. This has created a complex situation for both the homeowner and wildlife officials, balancing the bear's welfare with the safety concerns of a residential neighborhood.

"We've been monitoring this bear for a considerable period," explained Deanna Browning, a spokesperson for the CDFW, in a press conference earlier today. "It's not unusual to see bears venturing into foothill communities like Altadena, particularly during drier years when natural food sources are scarce. However, taking up residence under a home is quite atypical and presents unique challenges."

Relocation, the most obvious solution, isn't straightforward. According to experts, forcibly removing a bear from an established den, especially during the winter months, can be detrimental to its survival. "A bear's den isn't just shelter; it's a critical part of its annual cycle," Browning elaborated. "Disrupting that - tearing it away from its known territory, food sources, and established routines - significantly decreases its chances of thriving elsewhere. It's a stressor that could prove fatal."

The CDFW is currently weighing several options. One approach involves attempting to lure the bear out using food, strategically placed a safe distance from the residence. Once the bear is sufficiently far from the house, wildlife officials hope to tranquilize it and transport it to a more suitable habitat, ideally within the Angeles National Forest. However, this strategy requires careful timing and execution, considering the bear's learned behavior and the potential for it to become wary of human-placed attractants.

Another, more long-term consideration involves 'hazing' - using non-lethal deterrents to discourage the bear from returning to residential areas. This includes loud noises, flashing lights, and potentially even specially trained dogs. However, experts acknowledge that hazing is most effective when implemented before an animal becomes fully habituated to human presence.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing human-wildlife interactions in California. As urban sprawl continues to encroach upon natural habitats, encounters between people and animals are becoming more frequent. Experts attribute this to several factors, including climate change, which is altering migration patterns and food availability, and the increasing fragmentation of ecosystems, forcing animals to search for resources in unexpected places.

Maryanne Vahradian, understandably, is anxious. "It's unsettling knowing there's a large animal living right beneath my house," she told reporters. "I'm primarily worried about the safety of my family and, honestly, the bear itself. I want to see it moved to a place where it can be safe and thrive, but I also don't want anyone harmed in the process." She has been diligently following the CDFW's recommendations, securing her trash cans indoors and removing any potential attractants from her property.

The CDFW is urging all residents in Altadena and surrounding communities to take similar precautions. This includes properly storing garbage, removing pet food from outdoors, and being aware of their surroundings, especially during dawn and dusk when bears are most active. They also advise residents not to approach or feed bears, as this can lead to habituation and dangerous encounters.

The department anticipates a resolution to the situation by the end of the week, although Browning cautioned that the operation is fluid and dependent on the bear's behavior. The case has already prompted discussions within the CDFW about enhancing public education programs and developing more proactive strategies for managing human-wildlife conflict in urban-wildland interfaces. The future of coexistence may well depend on it.